UMass Amherst Religious and Spiritual Life

Office of Religious andSpiritual Life

The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life offers a range of educational programs, individual and institutional advocacy, interfaith dialogue, and other bridge-building activities designed to foster an informed, caring and supportive campus community for students of all backgrounds and beliefs, and to promote a greater sense of meaning and purpose in students' lives.

We also serve as the liaison between the University and the religious organizations and advisers who provide pastoral counseling and other religious services for our students (see "Religious Affairs Committee" below).

The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life strives to foster mutual understanding and respect among students of all religious backgrounds (whether religiously observant or not); to promote dialogue; and to provide appropriate support for and heighten awareness of the diverse religious and spiritual traditions which are present on our campus.

For an interesting overview of our work and philosophy, read the feature-length interview with OR&SL director Larry Goldbaum on the Character Clearinghouse website ("In the Heart of the Action: Persons of Purpose in the Profession," May 2012)

Religious Affairs Committee...

"Representing the religious community and serving the soul of the campus"

The Religious Affairs Committee represents the religious advisers (ministers, priests, rabbis, and lay advisers) who are affiliated with various religious and spiritual organizations serving the UMass Amherst community.

The Religious Affairs Committee's mission is to support the religious and spiritual life of the community, and to promote healthy discourse between people from diverse religious backgrounds and beliefs.

The committee is an independent entity under the auspices of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, which serves as the liaison between the Religious Affairs Committee and the University administration.